Kaveri has been with us for Christmas week.
She had a holiday from school on Christmas day itself.
Opening presents and playing games
Fun with the dogs
We all enjoyed meeting our guests from Germany and had a visit from Radhika
Kaveri created a windmill as a project for school.
Well done Kaveri and it was wonderful to have you stay for the week.
I’ll miss you.
Has been fun as usual.
Kaveri visits alternate weeks
Guests to Mysore and Srirangapatnam — holidaying and touring
Some taking souvenirs
Some reminding us of past times and my beautiful
Plus the terrors getting bigger by the day ..
and as we approach Christmas itself (when Kaveri gets a paltry one day holiday) our lovely German families start the festivities a day early 🤭
I’ve always had a soft spot for Ashoka who was an innovative Emperor in India over two thousand years ago.
He was the emperor who converted to Buddhism after regretting his army killing thousands in the battle to take over what is now part of the state of Odisha.
…
This week, I’m helping Kaveri with her revision and learning about the Dharma Mahamatras, appointed by the emperor to do good.
I like that
I’m feeling the connections
🤭
Look
We’ve even got our own copy of an Ashoka column, in the house. It was one of the ways he promoted good amongst his people.
So maybe I’m a reincarnated Dharma Mahamatras?
I quite fancy that.
Look at the evidence: social and community work, experimenting with participative democracy in England, radical work with disabled people, ‘Seeing is Believing’ events in India to establish community/business partnerships, facilitating the development of hundreds of community projects and groups, in the name of MAnjula helping young and old people and gifting almost 50 bicycles. I even helped design and deliver — for an Indian company — European-wide workshops on interpreting their ethical policies into appropriate daily business behaviour.
Ok ok, that’s enough of the trumpet blaring. It’s important to say we should be facilitators in helping each other.
Farrell factoid footnote.
What’s the difference between illness and wellness?
I and we, admittedly a joke but with a serious message. We should connect and cooperate to be kind to each other. As sapiens we’ve taken a wrong turning.
I’ve always looked for the ‘we’.
This is so obvious to me.
A top priority is ..
.. Kaveri and helping her develop and grow. When you meet her ask what BK is.
Kind guests donated two books for Kaveri
I collected the parcel from the post office today.
The officers tried their best but they were unable to delete the tax charges.
It was over 30 U.K. pounds or 3,000 rupees for two books. That’s the equivalent of what we pay for over a month of Kaveri’s education AND the cost of one of the very special personalised books.
Not good.
Farrell Factoid
In Manjula’s memory we give and support. That’s so far included over 50 bicycles, meals for elders at an ashram, creativity days for young people (including this one for visually impaired young women)
The costs of education and meetings of young people (aka reflective space), teaching and presentations.
I wasn’t feeling well this week and so Kaveri wrote me a note
How kind and thoughtful is that?
… and then I stumbled across this study which reaffirmed what we know —- how relationships are critical to a happy sustainable, satisfying life.
Here’s my girls …
My Indian wife and daughter.
Farrell Factoid Footnote
Kaveri isn’t actually my daughter but it’s as if I’ve ‘adopted’ her and support her on behalf of my beautiful caring compassionate wife
We know PFA from when Lucie was a pup. They spayed her and made the tell tale notch in her ear so she wouldn’t be picked up in the street and operated on again.
We chose two new friends
and appeared in the ‘Star of Mysore’
But what should we call them?
….
We’ve had the following suggestions. (Some more than once)
Ging (Ginj)
Luce (Luca)
Edwina (teddy bear)
Kappu
Shunti
Ginger (Rogers)
Fred (Astaire)
Inji (ginger)
Kari (black)
Tom
Hebden and Bridget ( a play on Hebden Bridge, where I’m from in the UK)
Amy and Vince (amor vincit omnia)
Blackie and Cinnamon
Black and Decker
Karrupa or Karuppan
Inji —- Together becoming …. Karrupinji
Pepper and Paprika.
Black and Tan
Ranelot and Bufolet
(french children’s book names for Frog and Toad)
Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont
(from Dangerous Liaisons to match Billet-Doux, our cat’s name)
Paddington
Spike
Summer
Shadow
Biscuit
Cheech and Chong
Luca
Lucia
Babu and Bibi
Ping and Pong
Jean-Philippe and Marie-Chantal .
ginger
Venus and Pluto
Bingo
Tofo
Coco
Tango
Momo
Milti
Millu
Broono
Blacky
Browny
Pancho
Jasmine
…
Thanks for your thoughtful suggestions
If there’s any strong favourites, let me know.
I’ll discuss with Captain Kaveri, ably assisted by General SB
Update on names
Luca (Lucka)
Tom
….
Jasmine (jas)
Gingee, Shingee or a variation.
Adithya the coach of elite academy
has been a fantastic help with Kaveri.
Kaveri has changed to a ‘day’ school, spends alternate weeks at mysore bed and breakfast, can therefore now attend the academy on a regular basis.
Today we were at the heats for state races.
Kaveri got a silver.
And was able to spend quality time with friends.
Kaveri has shown she can concentrate, focus and achieve through her time at the academy. I needn’t have worried.
Factoid
In her final race she gestured for her friend to pass her for third place, as she hadn’t been placed before. That’s my girl.
Kaveri returned to my home yesterday after a week with .. grandmother (aka mummy), grandfather, and the very pregnant Radhika (auntie aka sister)
Followed by dinner with Florian
Next day— the ordeal of homework with me (helping!)
It was the usual basic facts but the bit I didn’t know was Mahavira’s Jain teachings….
It’s pretty cool.
It’s actually Ganesh who’s left to go swimming in the river kaveri.
He rested with us, had his fill
and now he’s gone.
Followed by lunch at Poojari’s where MAnjula and I used to go.
Lifted from my Facebook
For those who don’t.
Me and MYCycle 